The Chicago Fire signed veteran defender Arne Friedrich to a new contract Wednesday, ensuring that a critical piece of the club’s first playoff team in three years will return in 2013.

Friedrich, a 33-year-old German, joined the Fire in March following a long Bundesliga career that ended on a sour note. Struggling with a back injury, Friedrich canceled his contract with VfL Wolfsburg in the fall of 2011 and was contemplating retirement when the Fire coaxed him to Chicago on a one-year deal.

The move worked out for both the player and the club. Friedrich appeared in 23 MLS games, scored once and helped Chicago finish fourth in the Eastern Conference. Although the Fire lost to the Houston Dynamo in last week’s preliminary-round game, the outlook for the one-time MLS power has improved thanks to front office stability and several key roster moves over the past year. Acquiring Friedrich was one of them.

A Fire defense that ranked second in the East and the rise to prominence of rookie of the year favorite Austin Berry -- Friedrich’s partner in the middle of the back four -- are testament to his influence.

“Building continuity at the center back positions is a priority in 2013,” Fire president of soccer operations Javier Leon said Wednesday. “Arne's international experience and leadership are key to our defense. We are happy to have him back next season.”

Goalkeeper Sean Johnson told Sporting News last month that Friedrich has been a “settling force” at the club. “To keep those (younger defenders) on the same page, keep them level-headed and keep them connected to him, it’s been nothing but goodness since he’s been here,” Johnson said.

Friedrich made just over $230,800 this year, according to the MLS Players Union. The terms of his new contract weren’t disclosed.

He played 82 times for the German national team, won World Cup bronze in ’06 and ’10 and was a European Championship runner-up in ’08.